NAIFA Congratulates Karsten Lundring, a 2012 GAMA International Management Hall of Fame Inductee March 23rd, 2012, in People News

L. Karsten Lundring, CLU, ChFC, CFP, was inducted into the GAMA International Management Hall of Fame during the association’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida. Lundring, the co-managing partner of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ Southwest Region, is the 49th person to be so honored.

Lundring has received GAMA’s International Management Award every year since 1974, and has qualified for the Master Agency Award every year since 1998. His name is on Thrivent’s “Wall of Fame,” and he is a recipient of its General Agent Award of Excellence.

Lundring is a member of GAMA, NAIFA, SFSP, and the FPA. He is also a past president of the San Fernando Valley General Agents and Managers Association. He is heavily involved as an alumnus at Cal Lutheran, participates in fund-raising efforts, has held several board memberships, and has helped the school grow.

Lundring started with the Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) as a freshman in college, and apart from spending almost three years in the army, has been with the company ever since. When he took over from his father, he had 19 agents; he now has 185 people spread out over five states. He credits his partners and team for his recognition in the GAMA Hall of Fame. “Most partnerships don’t last that long,” he says. “We’ve just had some really great things going on.”

At 69, Lundring, who initially wanted to retire at 55, shows no signs of slowing down. “I love what I’m doing,” he says. “I don’t see any reason to stop.”